IN THE SPIRIT OF RUSS RINGSAK from David Edin, Merchandise Manager
Russ Ringsak was the truck driver and a writer for A Prairie Home Companion, but his involvement with the show goes all the way back to its humble beginnings. Russ was a player on the old Jack’s Auto Repair softball team and then advanced to being a researcher and providing Minnesota notes to Garrison when the show was in New York. And he drove the truck on tours. He usually was involved in choosing and editing the “greetings” section of the show, selecting obscure birthday or celebratory wishes and then picking which would get on the air and which would not. Russ was a blues guitarist and a biker and a former architect, and ahead of his retirement from the show, he had the opportunity to play one of the most famous trucker songs — “Six Days on the Road” — live on the show with Brad Paisley, who recently appeared on the American Revival show.
Russ was a kind man with a generous heart and a big smile. He somehow always managed to get the equipment needed to stage the show to the proper location week after week, through snow, sleet, rain or sunshine. He also managed to somehow arrange his thoughts about his weekly travels into a column that became a favorite on the A Prairie Home Companion website. If you have a chance, you can still read many of his columns here >>>:
And if you get a chance, pick up one of his books: Minnesota Curiosities (featuring obscure facts about Minnesota) or Semi True: Seasons on the Road with A Prairie Home Companion’s Resident Writer and Truck Driver. And so to continue the tradition, here are a few of my own random thoughts from the road.
It’s amazing the thoughts that traveled through my head while driving to Colorado this past week via the highways and byways of Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska — encountering sheets of rain in the dark of night plus wind gusts of up to 50 miles an hour pushing the rental van all over the road and simply trying to follow the lights of the semi ahead of me as we soldiered on state after state. My mind was focused on the project ahead, the show that I have come to love, and how I was looking forward to witnessing another full-on A Prairie Home Companion program, this one called an American Revival. This got me thinking about the division in our country and the importance of shows like A Prairie Home Companion. I often wonder if in today’s environment, we have too many options for entertainment and
activity. It used to be that people would talk about a radio show or a television show around the “watercooler” the next few days, often comparing notes and thoughts about what they heard or saw — shows like I Love Lucy, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Dallas, Cheers, Seinfeld, all the way up to the first few seasons of American Idol, where programs easily had viewership numbers north of 20 to 30 million. Chatter among friends and foes focused on whether they liked the show or agreed with all the happenings or goings-on. Somehow, we seem to have gotten so fragmented that shows that appeal to everyone have disappeared, and top programs don’t seem to capture enough audience to seem relevant or generate buzz or pop culture excitement. Both television and radio seem to cater to a smaller, more targeted, more segmented audience, and thus, especially with politics, the broadcasts seem to focus on division. Shows like A Prairie Home Companion probably wouldn’t get made today yet were very successful just a short while ago. Shows like this draw people together. It truly gives one the chance to easily meet new friends since you begin with something in common and a topic you can build upon. Garrison had the right idea in beginning an American Revival — we can only wish for more!
The drive home was a reflection on the show itself, the people I met, and the friends I had the chance to reconnect with. A few dinners with people from past Prairie Home Companion cruises were a great opportunity to get to know each other more and catch up on our lives while having some great conversation and good food. I wish I’d had more time to give so that we could have had a few outside adventures. This group plus our core group of fellow working companions made the travel easy and well worth the trek.
I have been amazed by the number of people who told us that their Saturday ritual as a family was to sit down in front of the radio or hop in their car and listen to a two-hour variety show — many of the younger listeners simply stating that they were initially forced to listen to the radio show or the cassette tape stories but eventually they began to have an affinity for the show. A young man of 25 or so attended the show in Colorado as a tribute to his grandmother who had passed away three months earlier. She made him listen to the show and even picked him up for car trips on Saturday nights. As we spoke after the show, you could tell he was moved and enjoyed Brad Paisley, Elvin Bishop, and the full-cast
sketches. He was happy to share details of his road trips and his love for his grandmother.
I spoke to another lady who had traveled from Virginia and came with a box of tissues, since she said that Prairie Home was the “soundtrack to her life” — she’d been raised hearing the broadcast with her mother and father, often in the backseat of the family Valiant, and then passed that tradition on to her own
daughter. She too came in honor of her mother and told me that she had used all her tissues and sang out in joy during the sing-along.
Meeting people and having them share their stories is so rewarding. I hope to share a few stories of the new friends I made along the way in the newsletter on our social sites. This American Revival gives me hope for our country as it remains strong and full of great people. Here’s to meeting more of you in the
future. So let’s have another American Revival soon (I’ll put a word in with our host)! And then, thanks to and in remembrance of Russ, maybe I’ll make another column post or two.
Russ with the APHC Truck -
Get Books by Russ:
Minnesota Curiosities >>>
Semi True: Seasons on the Road with A Prairie Home Companion's Writer and Truck Driver >>>
HOW CAN I RECOVER LOST FUNDS FROM TRUST WALLET ? CONSULT CAPTAIN WEBGENESIS.
Crypto Recovery Services – Through Captain WebGenesis / Legitimate Cryptocurrency Recovery Expert.
Another Successful Bitcoin Recovery, My Spouse and I are another successful client of Captain WebGenesis among many. Numerous good reviews have been written about how the Crypto Recovery Expert has been utilizing his recovery skills to help people regain their happiness by getting their assets and Bitcoin back from dishonest and scammy cryptocurrency trading organizations. We were severely scammed by some scammers online, so I had to get in touch with them after reading about many of the fantastic services they offer. Fortunately, everything worked out well and Captain WebGenesis was able to get back the money we believed the Fraudsters had taken from us. Reach Captain WebGenesis viaWhatsApp at +1 701) 314-27-29 or email at (Captainwebgenesis@hackermail.com)
Website; Www.captainwebgenesis.com
HOW CAN I RECOVER LOST FUNDS FROM TRUST WALLET ? CONSULT CAPTAIN WEBGENESIS.
Crypto Recovery Services – Through Captain WebGenesis / Legitimate Cryptocurrency Recovery Expert.
Another Successful Bitcoin Recovery, My Spouse and I are another successful client of Captain WebGenesis among many. Numerous good reviews have been written about how the Crypto Recovery Expert has been utilizing his recovery skills to help people regain their happiness by getting their assets and Bitcoin back from dishonest and scammy cryptocurrency trading organizations. We were severely scammed by some scammers online, so I had to get in touch with them after reading about many of the fantastic services they offer. Fortunately, everything worked out well and Captain WebGenesis was able to get back the money we believed the Fraudsters had taken from us. Reach Captain WebGenesis viaWhatsApp at +1 701) 314-27-29 or email at (Captainwebgenesis@hackermail.com)
Website; Www.captainwebgenesis.com
REMEDY TO ALL YOUR PROBLEMS
if you are in need of a spell caster to help you with your Situation, First I would advise you to beware of offers on the internet as well as announcements. Observe carefully because 90% of these ads are fraud uses. Thank you DR MARIAN for taking your time to help people in need. I had already given up on Online spells reason been because of my past experiences with SCAMMERS whom claim to be what they are not, Not until a friend of mine introduced me to DR MARIAN which till now i would say still REMAINS THE ONLY TRUE EXISTING SPELL CASTER ALIVE. DR MARIAN i want you to know the service you provide no doubt changes the life’s of so many of us. Such an amazing service and I’m very thankful for having found this and appreciate your time and effort in helping me. My husband has finally come back to me after he left me to be with another woman for over 2 years. All thanks to DR MARIAN who brought him back to me. DR MARIAN is an expert in what HE does WITH EXPERIENCE OF 45 YEARS IN SPELL CASTING AND HERBAL MEDICINE TO CURE ANY KIND OF DISEASE THAT YOU MAY HAVE, CONTACT HIM ON ANY KIND OF ISSUES YOU MAY HAVE THAT IS BOTHERING YOU AS HE CAN HELP YOU SOLVE PROBLEMS AS LISTED BELOW: Email: marianspells@gmail.com OR Whatsapp: +2349160402535
(1) If you want your Divorced Husband/Wife back.
(2) If you want your Ex Boyfriend/Girlfriend back.
(3) If you want strong protection.
(4) You want to be Promoted in your Office.
(5) You want Women/Men to run after you.
(6) If you want Children.
(7) You want to be Rich Forever.
(8) You want to make your Husband/Wife to be yours forever.
(9) Or you have been scammed and you want to Recover your Lost Money.
(10) If you want a Make Me Sexy Spell.
(11) If you want a STOP His Roving Eyes Spell.
(12) If you want a Rejuvenated Love Spell.
(13) If you want a Be Faithful To Me Spell.
(14) If you want to prevent or keep others from talking about my man.
(15) Remove Bad Spells from Homes, Business.
(16) Stop your Marriage or Relationship from Breaking Apart.
(17) Remove the Back Spot that keeps on taking your Money Away.
(18) Find out why you are not progressing in Life and the Solution.
(19) Ensure Excellent School Grades even for Children with Mental Disabilities.
(20) Get promotion you have Desired for a Long Time at Work or in your Career.
(21) Heal Barrenness in Women and Disturbing Menstruation.
(22) Guarantee you Win the Troubling Court Cases.
(23) Get the Spell to Win a Lottery.
(24) Diabetes Cure and Remedy.
(25) Herpes Cure and Remedy.
(26) Hepatitis A, B, C Cure and Remedy.
(27) Cancer cure and Remedy.
(28) HIV/ AID Cure and Remedy.
(29) Syphilis Cure and Remedy e.t.c…
(30) IF YOU WANT TO RECOVER YOUR MONEY FROM SCAMMERS.
(31) IF YOU WANT TO TAKE REVENGE ON SCAMMMERS WHO STOLE YOUR MONEY.
(32) IS YOUR HEALER TAKING LONG TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS? THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO BE HELPED QUICKLY.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND HIM. I ADVISE YOU CONTACT HIM TODAY AND BE HAPPY AND DONT LET THESE FAKE ADS ONLINE DECIEVE YOU, AS DR MARIAN STILL REMAIN THE ONLY TRUE EXISTING SPELL CASTER ALIVE AS HE HAS PROVEN THAT TO ME ALREADY AFTER MY ENCOUNTER WITH SO MANY SCAMMERS ONLINE. You can contact HIM via:
Email: marianspells@gmail.com
Whatsapp: +2349160402535
REMEDY TO ALL YOUR PROBLEMS
if you are in need of a spell caster to help you with your Situation, First I would advise you to beware of offers on the internet as well as announcements. Observe carefully because 90% of these ads are fraud uses. Thank you DR MARIAN for taking your time to help people in need. I had already given up on Online spells reason been because of my past experiences with SCAMMERS whom claim to be what they are not, Not until a friend of mine introduced me to DR MARIAN which till now i would say still REMAINS THE ONLY TRUE EXISTING SPELL CASTER ALIVE. DR MARIAN i want you to know the service you provide no doubt changes the life’s of so many of us. Such an amazing service and I’m very thankful for having found this and appreciate your time and effort in helping me. My husband has finally come back to me after he left me to be with another woman for over 2 years. All thanks to DR MARIAN who brought him back to me. DR MARIAN is an expert in what HE does WITH EXPERIENCE OF 45 YEARS IN SPELL CASTING AND HERBAL MEDICINE TO CURE ANY KIND OF DISEASE THAT YOU MAY HAVE, CONTACT HIM ON ANY KIND OF ISSUES YOU MAY HAVE THAT IS BOTHERING YOU AS HE CAN HELP YOU SOLVE PROBLEMS AS LISTED BELOW: Email: marianspells@gmail.com OR Whatsapp: +2349160402535
(1) If you want your Divorced Husband/Wife back.
(2) If you want your Ex Boyfriend/Girlfriend back.
(3) If you want strong protection.
(4) You want to be Promoted in your Office.
(5) You want Women/Men to run after you.
(6) If you want Children.
(7) You want to be Rich Forever.
(8) You want to make your Husband/Wife to be yours forever.
(9) Or you have been scammed and you want to Recover your Lost Money.
(10) If you want a Make Me Sexy Spell.
(11) If you want a STOP His Roving Eyes Spell.
(12) If you want a Rejuvenated Love Spell.
(13) If you want a Be Faithful To Me Spell.
(14) If you want to prevent or keep others from talking about my man.
(15) Remove Bad Spells from Homes, Business.
(16) Stop your Marriage or Relationship from Breaking Apart.
(17) Remove the Back Spot that keeps on taking your Money Away.
(18) Find out why you are not progressing in Life and the Solution.
(19) Ensure Excellent School Grades even for Children with Mental Disabilities.
(20) Get promotion you have Desired for a Long Time at Work or in your Career.
(21) Heal Barrenness in Women and Disturbing Menstruation.
(22) Guarantee you Win the Troubling Court Cases.
(23) Get the Spell to Win a Lottery.
(24) Diabetes Cure and Remedy.
(25) Herpes Cure and Remedy.
(26) Hepatitis A, B, C Cure and Remedy.
(27) Cancer cure and Remedy.
(28) HIV/ AID Cure and Remedy.
(29) Syphilis Cure and Remedy e.t.c…
(30) IF YOU WANT TO RECOVER YOUR MONEY FROM SCAMMERS.
(31) IF YOU WANT TO TAKE REVENGE ON SCAMMMERS WHO STOLE YOUR MONEY.
(32) IS YOUR HEALER TAKING LONG TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS? THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO BE HELPED QUICKLY.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND HIM. I ADVISE YOU CONTACT HIM TODAY AND BE HAPPY AND DONT LET THESE FAKE ADS ONLINE DECIEVE YOU, AS DR MARIAN STILL REMAIN THE ONLY TRUE EXISTING SPELL CASTER ALIVE AS HE HAS PROVEN THAT TO ME ALREADY AFTER MY ENCOUNTER WITH SO MANY SCAMMERS ONLINE. You can contact HIM via:
Email: marianspells@gmail.com
Whatsapp: +2349160402535
REMEDY TO ALL YOUR PROBLEMS
if you are in need of a spell caster to help you with your Situation, First I would advise you to beware of offers on the internet as well as announcements. Observe carefully because 90% of these ads are fraud uses. Thank you DR MARIAN for taking your time to help people in need. I had already given up on Online spells reason been because of my past experiences with SCAMMERS whom claim to be what they are not, Not until a friend of mine introduced me to DR MARIAN which till now i would say still REMAINS THE ONLY TRUE EXISTING SPELL CASTER ALIVE. DR MARIAN i want you to know the service you provide no doubt changes the life’s of so many of us. Such an amazing service and I’m very thankful for having found this and appreciate your time and effort in helping me. My husband has finally come back to me after he left me to be with another woman for over 2 years. All thanks to DR MARIAN who brought him back to me. DR MARIAN is an expert in what HE does WITH EXPERIENCE OF 45 YEARS IN SPELL CASTING AND HERBAL MEDICINE TO CURE ANY KIND OF DISEASE THAT YOU MAY HAVE, CONTACT HIM ON ANY KIND OF ISSUES YOU MAY HAVE THAT IS BOTHERING YOU AS HE CAN HELP YOU SOLVE PROBLEMS AS LISTED BELOW: Email: marianspells@gmail.com OR Whatsapp: +2349160402535
(1) If you want your Divorced Husband/Wife back.
(2) If you want your Ex Boyfriend/Girlfriend back.
(3) If you want strong protection.
(4) You want to be Promoted in your Office.
(5) You want Women/Men to run after you.
(6) If you want Children.
(7) You want to be Rich Forever.
(8) You want to make your Husband/Wife to be yours forever.
(9) Or you have been scammed and you want to Recover your Lost Money.
(10) If you want a Make Me Sexy Spell.
(11) If you want a STOP His Roving Eyes Spell.
(12) If you want a Rejuvenated Love Spell.
(13) If you want a Be Faithful To Me Spell.
(14) If you want to prevent or keep others from talking about my man.
(15) Remove Bad Spells from Homes, Business.
(16) Stop your Marriage or Relationship from Breaking Apart.
(17) Remove the Back Spot that keeps on taking your Money Away.
(18) Find out why you are not progressing in Life and the Solution.
(19) Ensure Excellent School Grades even for Children with Mental Disabilities.
(20) Get promotion you have Desired for a Long Time at Work or in your Career.
(21) Heal Barrenness in Women and Disturbing Menstruation.
(22) Guarantee you Win the Troubling Court Cases.
(23) Get the Spell to Win a Lottery.
(24) Diabetes Cure and Remedy.
(25) Herpes Cure and Remedy.
(26) Hepatitis A, B, C Cure and Remedy.
(27) Cancer cure and Remedy.
(28) HIV/ AID Cure and Remedy.
(29) Syphilis Cure and Remedy e.t.c…
(30) IF YOU WANT TO RECOVER YOUR MONEY FROM SCAMMERS.
(31) IF YOU WANT TO TAKE REVENGE ON SCAMMMERS WHO STOLE YOUR MONEY.
(32) IS YOUR HEALER TAKING LONG TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS? THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO BE HELPED QUICKLY.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND HIM. I ADVISE YOU CONTACT HIM TODAY AND BE HAPPY AND DONT LET THESE FAKE ADS ONLINE DECIEVE YOU, AS DR MARIAN STILL REMAIN THE ONLY TRUE EXISTING SPELL CASTER ALIVE AS HE HAS PROVEN THAT TO ME ALREADY AFTER MY ENCOUNTER WITH SO MANY SCAMMERS ONLINE. You can contact HIM via:
Email: marianspells@gmail.com
Whatsapp: +2349160402535